Apparatus for preshrinking fabrics



July 27, 1943.

F. a. REDMAN APPARATUS FOR PRESHRINKING FABRICS Original Filed Aug. 2s,1941 e Shee ts-Sheet 1 \Wh Wt 5 w July 27, 1943. F. R. REDMAN APPARATUSFOR PRESHRINKING FABRICS Original Filed Aug. 28, 1941 July 27, 1943, F.R. REDMAN APPARATUS FOR PRESHRINKING FABRICS Original Filed A 28, 1941 5Sheets-Sheet 3 July 27, 1943. R REDMAN 2,325,545

APPARATUS FOR PRESHRINKING FABRICS Original Filed Aug. 28, 1941 6Sheets-Sheet 4 July 27, 19430 F. R. REDMAN 2,325,545

APPARATUS FOR PRESHRINKING FABRICS Original Aug. 28, 6 s t s t 5 F. R.REDMAN 2,325,545

APPARATUS FOR PRESHRINKING FABRICS July 27, 19430 Original Filed Aug.28, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 T 7 M10 6/ 5 m Patented July 27, 19 3APPARATUS FOR. PRESHRINKING FABRICS Frank Robert Redman, Yardley, Pa.

Original application August 28, 1941, Serial No. 408,676. Divided andthis application April 23,

1943, Serial No. 484,187

Claims.

This invention primarily relates to the preshrinking of textile fabrics,and in particular to an apparatus to control the amount of shrinkage ina fabric. 7 I

Most natural textile fibres, prior to being formed into yarns orthreads. have at least some inherent irregularities, such as spiraltwists, curves and kinks, throughout the length of each individualfibre. In the case of synthetic fibres, such as rayon and Nylon, thefilaments, as formed, are substantially straight. In some instancesthese filaments are cut into staple lengths, which are frequentlyartificially crimped. When formed into yarns, such fibres are twistedtogether and thereby assume spiral twists, curves or other de viationsfrom the purely straight character of the original fibres, and take on apermanent "set which closely approaches the permanent "set" of theinherent irregularities of natural fibres. Thus, artificial fibres, iftensioned and then released, will reassume their irregular form ratherthan return to the purely straight line character of the originalfilament. During the fabrication of the yarns, composed of natural orsynthetic fibres, into a fabric, the individual irregularities aretemporarily reduced and the fibres straightened as a result of the moreor less tight interengaging relationship of the yarns or parts of yarnswith each other in a finished fabric, and the fibres are held in thatabnormal condition, with the permanent twists, kinks, bends and curvesof a large percentage of the fibres practically straightened out.However, in the course of bleaching, dyeing, and other wet processing, afabric frequently increases to a considerable amount in length, as aresult of the tension under which the fabric is maintained. This furtherreduces the extent of the "set" irregularities of the individual fibres.

I have found, by extensive research, that the above noted conditions areresponsible for subsequent shrinkage of the fabric each time the fabricis laundered, in bulk or after having been made up into garments. I havefound that such shrinkage will continue until the fset originalirregularities of the natural or synthetic fibres return to theindividual fibres.

I have also found, as a result of further extensive research, that allor any predetermined part of the manufacturing and processing gain,

, resulting from the above noted condition of the fibres, can be removedfrom the fabric at one time, and subsequent shrinkage eliminated, bypretreating the fabric before final finishing in a manner such as topermit the twists, kinks, bends and curves to return to the individualfibres.

. In preparing yarns for use in weaving, knitting and braiding, thefibres are put through a number of operations which includes mixing,opening and picking, carding, drawing, slubbing, roving, spinning,doubling and slashing.

In the carding, drawing, slubbing and roving operations, particularly,the fibres or slivers there of are constantly placed and held underlongitudinal tension, for the purpose of drawing the fibres out asstraight as possible preparatory to twisting the sliver or roving, asthe case may be,

into a thread or yarn ready for singeing, or-slashing (sizing).

During the slashing (sizing) operation, the yarn or thread is held underlongitudinal tension while the sizing is applied to the outer surfacethereof and dried. The drying of the sizing on the tensioned yarn keepsthe'fibres under tension, after the tension on the yarn as a whole hasbeen released. During the slashing operation. a yam frequently gains inlength from 2% to 7%, due to the tension under which the yarn is held.

In weaving a fabric, the warp yarns are under high tension at all timesduring the weaving operation. The tension on the filling yarns (weft) isincreased when the warp shed changes to bind in each newly insertedweft. Thus, in weaving, all the threads or yarns are placed and heldunder tension in the fabric.

In knitting, the thread is maintained under tension when fed to theneedles of the knittin machine, and although this tension may be reducedto some extent as the newly formed stitches are cast from the needles,there still remains a certain amount of tension in the yarn when thefabric is removed from the knitting machine.

In braided fabrics, the interlacing'of the various threads is effectedwith the threads under relatively high tension and, due to this tension,the interengaging relationship of the yarn parts holds the fibres instraightened condition.

After a fabric is completed on a loom, knitting machine, or braidingmachine, it is frequently subjected to a wet finishing process in whichit may gain 10% or more in length. Cotton shirting's, for example, arebleached, dyed and finished. In the bleachery, the fabric is singed,while held under tension in a fiat open form. The fabric is then wettedand reduced to a rope form. From the singeing house. which is more orless remotely situated with respect to'the bleaching as a matter ofprecaution against spread of fire. the

I sion'. The fabric is then opened up again into a fiat form and passedthrough a mangle, while being held under high tension.

From the mangle the fabric is passed, under tension, about a series ofdrying cylinders, known as a can drier. From the drier, the flattenedfabric may pass to and through a mercerizing solution, after which it isagain reduced to a rope form for passage three or more times through thewashing machine, under high tension. From the washing machine, thefabric again returns to-the keir for another boilingr After thistreatment in the keir, the fabric is again run in rope form, under hightension, through the washing machine at least five times. From thewashing machine the fabric rope may be run through a bleaching solutionand subsequently given at least two more washings, under high tension.The fabric is then spread out and run through a mangle from which itpasses to and through a loop drier or around the cylinders of a candrier preparatory to dyeing or starching, under high tension constantly.

If the fabric is to be dyed, it is held out fiat. under high tension, inorder that the dye will enter it evenly,'without streaking. If the clothis to be starched, it is likewise held out flat, under high tension. topermit the starch to spread uniformly. After dyeing or starching, etc.,the cloth is applied to a tenter frame to pullit out to uniformpredetermined width, under heavy tension, for final drying.

From the foregoing, it will be clear that from the time the treatment ofthe fibres begins until the fabric is finished, the fibres are held,constantly, under longitudinal strain.

In order to prevent the fabric from shrinking after it has been made upinto garments, etc., it

' is essential that the gain which'the yarns and the fabric attainduring manufacture be eradicated,

and that the tense, abnormal condition of the fibres of the yarns benullified.

The present invention relates to an-apparatus for shrinking textilefabrics comprising the combination of, a fabric-supporting surface,means for repeatedly rumpling a fabric reposlng on said surface, andmeans for applying moisture and heat to the fabric on said surface. Itwill be readily conceivable that many different forms of apparatus maybe utilized within the scope of the invention.

The invention is adapted for use with woven,

knitted, braided, netted, twist-lace and other varieties of textilefabrics, made of cotton, wool, artificial silk, etc., or combinationsthereof, in fiat-sheet, tubular, or strip form.

Referring to the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 illustrates a yarn or thread composed of textile fibres havingset irregularities;

Fig. 2 illustrates a, greatly magnified fragmentary portion of the yarnor thread of Fig. 1, showing the component fibres under longitudinaltension;

Fig. 3 illustrates the yarn or thread of Fig. 2 after treatment of thefabric according to the present invention;

Figs. 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d collectively constitute a sectional plan view ofone form of apparatus adapted for use under the method of the presentinvention; 7

Figs. 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d collectively constitute a vertical longitudinalsectional elevation through the portions of the structure shown in Figs.4a, 4b, 4c and 4d respectively;

Fig. 6 is a transverse section on the line 8 -8,

Fig. 7 is a transverse section on the line 1--'l, Fig. 5c; and

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic plan view of a modified form of apparatus.

The yarn or thread A, shown in Fig. l, is composed of a multiplicity ofintertwisted individual fibres a, a, of long, short, or intermediatelength, depending upon the use to which the yarn or thread is to be putand the class and quality of the fabric in which the yarn or thread isto be incorporated.

As shown in Fig. 2, the individual fibres a, a, when the yarn or threadis under tension, are

relatively straight and in general parallel relav or easy curvedcondition.

loose, free, relaxed tion to each other.

As shown in Fig. 3, the fibres a 0. when the yarn is relieved oftension, return to their set irregularly wavy, twisted, kinked, sharplybent,

When the fibres are in the strained, abnormal condition illustrated inFig. 2, the fabric will have a tight, relatively harsh feel or hand" asit is commonly termed in the art; whereas, when the fibres return totheir set irregular condition, illustrated in Fig. 3, the fabric willhave a softer, fuller feeling,

The transition of the fibres from the condition illustrated in Fig. 2 tothe condition illustrated in Fig. 3, is attained by working the fabric,and consequently the individual fibres, constantly, in the presence ofmoist heat, with the fabric in a fully relaxed state. This working ispreferably carried on in such a manner that the fabric, in relativelysmall spaced local areas thereof, is bunched up and then released,repeatedly, by which the fibres are placed under more or lesslongitudinal compression, intermittently, and are then permitted torelax. These localized areas are distributed over the length and breadthof the fabric and their relative positions are changed constantly sothat the entire area of the fabric receives the treatment repeatedly.The condition of the fabric, as a whole, permits the bunching up of thefabric in adjacent local areas without placing the fabric lyingintermediate spaced local areas under any tension whatsoever, at anytime.

In order to work over the entire length of a continuous strip or web offabric, I prefer to advance the fabric lengthwise along an elongatedtable, by pushing the fabric, at all times, which produces the abovenoted bunching of the fabric and the consequent intermittentlongitudinal compression of the individual fibres.

As the fabric is pushed in the direction of its length along the worktable, it is also pushed inwardly from both of its marginal edges,simultaneously or alternately, which contributes to the bunching actionabove referred to and places the fibres of any threads which extendtransversely of the fabric (filling for example) under lengthwisecompression at the same time as the fibres of the longitudinal threads(warps for example) are placed under lengthwise compression.

The above noted lateral inward pushing and bunching of the fabric isrepeated a number of times as the fabric is pushed longitudinally alongthe work table, and. intermediate these inward pushings, the fabric maybe spread laterally, outwardly, without being tensioned.

In Figs. a, 5b, and 5c, the elongated work table, referred to above, isillustrated at I. As illustrated in Figs. 4a, 4b and 4c, the work tableI is provided with vertical side walls! and 3, respectively, whichextend from said table upwardly to a roof structure 4, spaced above thetable I, and which therewith form a closed processing chamber ,5.

At spaced intervals throughout the length of the-processing chamber 5,and extending transversely thereof, are three series of rotary buncherunits 6a, 6b, 6c, in the present instance, of which there may be as manyor as few individual units in each series as desiredor necessary for anyparticular job. 4

Associated with the three series of rotary buncher units 6a, 6b, 6c, arethree series of stationary buncher units la, 1b, and 1c, respectively.

Following each series of bunchers 6a, la: 6b, lb: lic, 1c: is a transferroll 8a, 8b or Go, 'as the case may be.

Each rotary buncher 6a, lib, or 60, as the case may be, comprises acentral axially elongated hub section9 which preferably extendscompletely across the chamber 5, between and, if desired, beyond theside walls 2 and 3. Projecting radially from and arranged in a spiralcourse around and along each hub section 9 is a series of resilientfingers III, the tips of which, as the buncher revolves about itshorizontal axis, makes light but firm contact with the work table I orany piece of fabric spread out or lying thereon. At the feed end l5 ofthe chamber 5, is a pair of resilient faced rolls H and I2 which receivea fabric F in full width and in a substantially smooth, flat condition.The rolls II and I2 pass the fabric F into the bite of a pair ofparallel conveyer belts l3 and I4. These belts l3--l4 deliver the fabriconto the upper end of a downwardly inclined portion la of the stationarywork table I As the belts l3-l4 continue to feed the fabric F onto theincline la, the fabric slides down said incline, by gravity, and buildsup in folds f along said incline.

As the number of folds f increases, the weight of the fabric lying onthe incline la forces the folds f along a contiguous horizontal portionlb of the work table I, until the folded fabric comes under the rotatingfingers ll) of the first rotary buncher 6a.

The fabric F, in entering the chamber 5, may be in a dry or moist state.A moisture content amounting to not more than 80% of the dry weight persquare yard of the fabric is referred. As the folds ,f of the fabric Fslide down the incline la, onto and along the fiat part lb of the tableI, they come under the influence of moist heat in the form of steamsprays lia impinging thereon from a. transversely extending steam pipeHo. The steam sprays Ilia warm and moisten the fabric as it comes underthe influence of the first rotary buncher 6a. As the folds 1 advancedownwardly along the incline la, the longitudinally extending fibres, i.e., the fibres of the threads which extend longitudinally of the fabric,are placed under a longitudinal compression which is provided by theweight of the fabric pushing the folds 1 down the incline la.

As the folds 1 advance toward the fingers Ill of the rotary buncher 6a,these fingers, one after another, press into the folds j and advance thefabric further along the horizontal portion lb of the work table I. Asshown in Fig. 4a, the fingers in are arranged spirally about the hub 9and in successively contacting the transversely extending folds f, thefingers lll break u such transverse folds into local relatively spacedirregularly distributed bunches of fabric, indicated produced by thefingers are permitted to relax.

Thus, the intermittent compressions and relaxations in the local areasof the fabric are effected.

The forward progression of the fabric as a whole is retarded by thefabric coming in contact with the forwardly inclined face of the firststationary buncher la. The buncher la is in the form of a transverselyextending inverted V- shaped ridge formed in or on the work table I. Theupper edge of the stationary buncher la is low at the central portion ofthe work table I and is inclined upwardly and rearwardly, with respectto the direction of progress of the fabric, from the center of the worktable I toward each of the side walls 2 and 3. The stationary buncher'Ia presents a vertical concave dam or barricade to the progress of thefabric passing along the Work table I.

As the fabric builds up against the stationary buncher 10., it is pushedup the forwardly inclined face thereof and over the top edge of thebarricade, by the advancing action produced in the fabric by the firstrotary buncher 6a. As the fabric slides over the concave upper edge ofthe barricade la, the marginal edges of the fabric, those portionsintermediate the marginal edges, and the central part of the fabric,tend to slide down the lateral inclines of the upper edge of thebarricade lying adjacent the opposite sides re spectively of the worktable I, toward the center thereof as a result of the downwardlyconverging inclinations of the vertical concave upper edge of thestationary barricade 1a.

The inward transverse movement of the fabric, as afforded by the concavesurface of the stationary buncher la, tends to produce local bunching ofthe fabric transversely thereof, in conjunction with the local bunchingproduced by the longitudinal advancement of the fabric by the rotarybuncher 6a. This action places the transverse fibres, or the fibres ofthe transversely extending threads of the fabric, under longitudinalcompression. At the same time, the transverse bunching reduces theoverall width of the forwardly advancing fabric.

As the fabric is advanced over the first stationary buncher 1a, itslides down the forward inclined face thereof toward the second rotarybuncher 60. Intermediate the second rotary buncher 6a and the firststationary buncher la,

' the bunched fabric is subjected to moist heat 'in the form of steamsprays lBb impinging upon the fabric from a transversely extending pipeMb.

The weight of the fabric sliding down the forward face of the stationarybuncher la under the of the work table until it comes under theinfluence of the fingers l of the second rotary buncher \6a.

The fingers In of the second rotary buncher 6a are in offset orstaggered rela'tion, or in some other predetermined irregularrelationship with respect to the fingers III of the first rotarybuncher, so that the fingers of the second rotary buncher engage thefabric in different spots from those engaged by the fingers of the firstrotary 10 buncher, thus, some of the bunches created by the first rotarybuncher are upset by the fingers of the second rotarybuncher, which, asa matter of fact, were previously modified by the movement of the fabricover the first stationary buncher la.

The above noted operations are repeated any desired number of times asthe fabric advances along succeeding fiat portions |c Id, Ie, if and lg,for example, with the fabric, in each instance,

first coming under the influence of a rotary buncher and being pushedthereby over a stationary buncher in the presence of moist heat admittedfrom the pipes "c, I 1d, l'l'e, l'lf.

As the fabric passes over the stationary bunchers I la, one afteranother, the marginal edges thereof are worked inwardly toward thecentral portion of the fabric, by sliding down the inwardlyanddownwardly inclined surface of the stationary bunchers. After leavingthe last rotary buncher of the series 6a, the fabric is pushed therebyonto the upper surface of the first rotary spreader 8a, which, as shownin Fig. 4b, is of a convex construction, being of larger diameter at thecentral vertical plane of the work table l than it is adjacent the sidewalls 2 and 3 of the chamber 5, thus, as the convex roll 8a is rotated,the fabric is pushed onto its rotating surface and has a tendency tofall of its own weight from the central portion of the surface fabric asit passes over the surface of the roll,.,5

thus preventing tensioning of the fabric.

The spreading roll 8a delivers the fabric onto a downwardly inclinedsection In of the work table I, in the form of a newly arranged seriesof folds 12 which then come under the influence of the first rotarybuncher of the second series of units 6b, 6b. I

Intermediate the individual units of the second series of rotarybunchers, 6b, the work table I is provided with a second series ofstationary bunchers lb and with flat sections ii, If and lie of thetable l between said stationary bunchers. These fiat sections providefor horizontal movement of the bunched fabric along the table I.

The fabric receives substantially the same treatment by the rotarybunchers of the second series 6b and the associated stationary bunchers1b as it had received from the rotary buncher 6a and stationary buncher1a of the first series thereof. Moist heat is provided from the trans- 7verse pipes "a, "It and Hi impinging steam against the fabric in themanner previously described.

The last of the rotary bunchers of the series 6b pushes the fabriclongitudinally onto a second convex spreader roll 8b, which, like thespreader roll 8a, rotates about an axis disposed preferably below thework table I. a

The spreader roll 8b delivers the fabric in the form of rearranged folds73 onto a downwardly. inclined portion ll of the work tablei, said foldsbeing subjected to moist heat from .theLtranSVerse pipe l'li, Fig. 5b.At the bottom of theincline It, the fabric passes along a horizontalportion lm of the work table I and comes under the influence of thefirst unit of a third series of rotary bunchers 8c. The section I m ofthe work table under t e influence of the series of rotary, bunchers 6c.

Intermediate the feeding aprons I3 and I4, and the spreader roll 80, thefabric, assuming it to have been dry or substantially dry when fed intothe chamber 5 by the rolls Ii and It, will have preferably absorbed notmore than of the dry weight per square yard of the. fabric in moisture.While in this moist condition, the fabric is continuously maintainedunder longitudinal and transverse compression in the plane of thefabric, and is continuously worked over in a multiplicity ofever-changing local areas by the rotary and stationary bunchers. Suchcontinuous working of the fabric in the presence of the moist heat, withthe fabric in a damp condition, causes a relative loosening of theindividual fibres in the component yarns or threads of the fabric andaffords a complete relaxation of the fibres from the tension under whichthe fibres had been placed during the manufacture of the yarn, and thesubsequent manufacture of the fabric from a multiplicity of such yarns.This relaxation from tension, andthe loosening of the fibres withrespect to each other, permits the fibres of each component yarn orthread to change from the relatively straight form of Fig. 2, in whichthe fibre are deformed, to their normal or set state illustrated in Fig.3, where the set irregularities, including curves, bends, kinks, etc.,are returned to the fibres.

The return of the set irregularities of the fibres is further assistedas the fabric is dried, after leaving the spreading roll 80. For thispurpose, the fabric is delivered by the spreading roll 8c onto acarrying run of a horizontal belt conveyor 20, Figs. 5c and 5d. Theconveyor 20 travels in a horizontal plane through a drying chamber 2|,in which dry heat is circulated in the manner shown in Fig. 6.

As shown in Fig. 6, the drying chamber 2| is provided with a circulatingchamber 22in which are installed air-heating pipes, or the equivalent,23, and a fan 24 by which air is drawn from the lower portion 25 ofthechamber 2|, below the carrying run of the conveyor 20, and passedupwardly through the air heater 23 into the upper portion of the chamber2|, where the air travels transversely across the worked over fabric Fl,suitable deflectors 28, 26 being provided to cause the air movingtransversely of the chamber 2| to descend into contact with the fabricFl, thereby efiecting a drying of the fabric. After passing across theconveyor 20 with the fabric Fl thereon, the air passes through a secondcire culating chamber 2'|,by which it is directed into the lower portion25 of the drying chamber 2| for a repeat of the circulating cycle.Obviously, any suitable form of air-circulating means or airheatin meansmay be provided.

Inst ad of permitting the fabric to lie in a quiescent state on theconveyor 20 as it is being dried, I prefer to work the fabriccontinuously during the drying thereof in a multiplicity of local areasthereof, and for this purpose, the conveyor 20 is preferably composed oftwo series of relatively narrow bands 30a, 30a and 30b, 3%, arranged inparallel alternating succession across the width of the drying chamber2|, as shown in Figs. 4c, 4d, and 7..

At the end of the drying chamber 2l, adjacent the spreading roll 80, thebands 30a pass around wheels 3|, which are secured to a transverse shaft32. The shaft 32 is suitably mounted for rotation in the drier.Intermediate the tight wheels 3| on the shaft 32, the .bands 3% extendaround wheels 33, which are loosely mounted on the shaft 32.

At the opposite end of the dryer, the bands 30b pass around wheels 34,which are secured to the transverse shaft 35, mounted for rotation inthe dryer, while the bands 30a pass around intermediate wheels 36, whichare loosely mounted on Y the shaft 35.

On one end of the shaft 32 is secured an elliptical gear 31, whichmeshes with a corresponding elliptica1 gear 38 secured to a transverseshaft 39, mounted for rotation outside the dryer chamber. The shaft 35is provided with an e1- liptical gear 40, rigidly secured thereto, whichmeshes with a corresponding elliptical gear 4|, secured to a transverseshaft 42, mounted for rotation outside the dryer chamber. The shaft 42is coupled by miter gearing 43 to a longitudinal shaft 44, which is alsocoupled by miter gearing 45 with the shaft 39. The shaft 39 is providedwith a drive wheel 46, which is rotated by a belt or chain, etc., 41,from any suitable source of power, such as an electric motor, etc., (notshown).

As shown in Figs. 5c and 5d, the longer diameters of the ellipticalgears 31 and 40 on the shafts 32 and 35, respectively, are set at 90with respect to each other, i. e. when the ellipitcal gear 31 is in aposition with its longer diameter vertically disposed, the ellipticalgear 40 is in a position with its longer diameter horizontally disposed,as shown in Figs. 5c and 5d, respectively. The corresponding ellipticalgears 38 and 4| are likewise set at 90 apart.

The gears 38 and 4| are driven at constant, uniform speeds, andtransmit, through the elliptical gears, variable speeds to the shafts 32and 35, which, while rotating in the same direction, are eachaccelerated in one portion of each cycle of rotation and decelerated inanother portion of the cycle.

As a result of the two series of conveyor bands 30a and 30b being drivenby the shafts 32 and 35, respectively, the carrying runs of these bands,while they move continuously in one direction through the drying chamber2|, are alternately accelerated and decelerated, i. e. the alternatebands will move under increased speed for a relatively short periodwhile the intermediate bands are moving at a slower speed, after whichthe intermediate bands will increase in speed while the alternate bandsdecrease in speed, thus, these portions of the width of the fabric lyingon the respective bands are constantly being moved with respect toimmediately adjacent portions of the width of the fabric.

The surface speed of the spreading roll is greater than the linear speedof the carrying run of the conveyor 20, thus, the roll 80 delivers thefabric Fl to the conveyor 20 in the form of transverse folds 13. Thesefolds provide sufficient looseness in the fabric lying on the conveyor20 to prevent any tensioning between adjacent parts of the fabric,during the differential movements of the adjacent bands 30a and 30b ofwhich the conveyor 20 is composed.

Intermediate the opposite ends of the drying chamber 2 I, said chamberis provided with transversely extending rolls 50a and 5017, Figs. 5c and541, respectively, which, as shown in Figs. 4c, and 4d, respectively,are corrugated throughout their length, said corrugations comprisingcircumferentially extending high portions 5| alter- 7 nating withcircumferentially extending low portions 52. The high portions 5|, 5| ofthe rolls 50a and 50b are disposed in alignment, longitudinally of thechamber 2|, with the low circumferential portions 52, of each other. v

As the fabric Fl is advanced through the drying chamber 2|, it assesfirst over the roll 50a and then over the roll 5%. The corrugations ofthe roll 50a upset or disturb thepositions of the folds or bunchings f3of the fabric Fl and redeposit the fabric Fl on the bands 30a, 30b ofthe conveyor 20 in a new arrangement illustrated at f4 in Figs. 5c and5d. The corrugated roll 50b then lifts the fabric off the conveyor andupsets the bunchings f4 and redeposits the fabric in a new arrangementof folds f5. In other words, the high and low parts of the rolls 50a and53b tumble the fabric about transversely as it is ad vanced by the bands30a and 301), thus, the entire area of the fabric is undergoing aworking action, both longitudinally and transversely, while the fabricis'being dried.

The constant overall working of the fabric permits the kinks, bends,etc., of the fibres to return to their set" condition. The fabric Fl isfinally passed over a delivery roll 55 adjacent the shaft 35 and passesfrom the drying chamber in a dry, normalized state, as indicated at F2,Fig. 5d. The peripheral speed of the delivery roll 55 wouldsubstantially correspond to the peripheral speed of the feed rolls lland I2 and the feed aprons l3 and I4 located at the opposite end of theapparatus less the reduction per yard effected by the process accordingto the invention. The fabric F2, as delivered from the dryer 2|, may bepassed through any further finishing or additional processing that maybe desired without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

In some instances, due to processing of the fabric prior to its entranceinto the chamber 5, the moisture content of the fabric may be in excessof of the weight of the fabric per square yard. Under suchcircumstances, the weight of the water itself prevents the return of thefibres to their set condition, should an attempt be made to normalizethe fibres of the present invention.

Under such circumstances, I prefer to reduce the moisture content to notmore than 80% of the dry weight of the fabric per square yard, prior tofeeding the fabric between the rolls II and I2 for entrance into thenormalizing chamber 5. When such conditions are encountered, the fabriccan be run through any suitable dryer, for example, an ordinary loopdryer or over drying cans, etc., to reduce the moisture content. Suchpredrying and constant working of the fabric prior to its entrance intothe main working chamber takes some shrinkage out of the fabric.

In order to operate the fabric working apparatus within the chamber 5 ata high rate of speed, for example, with the fabric passing into and outof the apparatus at the rate of 45 to 100 yards per minute, I providesuitable means for preventing the fabric from clinging to the fingersII) of the rotary bu'nching units. In the presentinstance, this meanscomprises a series of stripper rings I50 for each of the rotary bunchingunits, as shown clearly in Figs-4a and 5a. As shown in Figs. 4a, 4b, 5a,5b and 6, the fingers III are spaced apart along the length of the hubsection 9, in addition to being spaced apart circumferentially of saidHub section. Preferably, thereis a stripper ring 60 placed between eachadjacent pair of fingers I0. Each stripper ring-60 is eccentricallydisposed with respect to the axis of rotation of the hub 9. Each ring 80passes under the hub section 9, and its axis of rotation is disposedabove and forward of the axis of rotation of the hub section.

Each ring 60 is maintained in alignment with the space between the twofingers I0, III, with which the ring cooperates by fitting into groovesBI formed in guide rolls 62, 63 and 64, the axes of which are spacedapart circumferentially of the stripper ring 60 and extend parallel tothe axis'of the hub 9.

Located in aplane parallel to and intersecting the axis of the hub 9,the common axis of each set of rings 60, and the axis of the groovedroller 63, and engaging the inside surfaces of-the rings 60 of each setthereof is a driving roller 65, which extends transversely of thechamber 5, parallel The humidity and temperature within the chamber 8may be automatically maintained and controlled by the usual form of dryand wet bulb thermometers commonly used for such purposes. I prefer tomaintain a temperature of about 215 F. within the processing chamber 5;and a dry temperature of about 240 F. upwardly in the drying chamber 2|.However, these temperatures may be varied if and when conditionsrequire. For example, compact woven or braided fabrics may requirehigher humidity and/ or temperature than the more open knitted, nettedor lace-twist fabrics.

Insofar as the fundamental principles of the present invention areconcerned, the apparatus may be efliciently worked by relieving a pieceof fabric of all tension in all directions, steaming the fabric until itabsorbs moisture to the extent of from 25% to 80% of its own dry weight,a range from 40% to being the most desirable, constantly working thefabric by spreading the tips of the fingers of one or both hands overspaced local areas, respectively, of the fabric and drawing the fingersof each hand toward a common focal point to bunch the fabric up undereach hand, then relaxing the fingers to release the fabric, spreadingthe fingers again over different local areas and repeating the bunchingand relaxing operation until the entire area of the fabric has beenworked over many times as steam is being applied.

Such constant working of the fabric in everchanging localized areasthereof, in the presence of the heat and moisture absorbed from thesteam by the fabric, effectively releases the fibres so that the setirregularities of, the fibres return thereto.

eral speeds'which are in excessof the tip speeds of the fingers I0 ofthe rotary buncher with which the set of stripper rings is associated.The directions of rotation of the fingers I0 and the set of ringsassociated therewith are the same in each instance. Any fabric which maytend to adhere to the tips of the fingers will be stripped therefrom asthe fingers rotate and recede between adjacent stripper rings 60. Thecircular paths traveled by the rings intersect the circular pathstraveled by the (tips of the fingers I0. By this'arrangement the fabricis atall times cleared from the fingers.

The friction drive roller for the rings 60 is preferably composed ofnatural or synthetic rubber, in order to provide a resilient frictioncontact with the inner surface of the rings 60. The driving rollers 65are formed about a transversely extending shaft 66.

It will be understood that the apparatus may include any suitable formof framework having suitable bearings for rotatably supporting thevarious feed rolls, rotary bunchers, spreader rolls, etc., and anysuitable means may be provided for driving these rotary elements at therelative speeds necessary for accomplishing the result desired, withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention. In the present instance,sprocket wheels 61 and sprocket chains 68 are provided in lieu of belts,gears, or equivalent power-transmitting mechanism.

As shown in Figs. 4a, 4b and 4c, the steam pipes Ila, l'lb, etc., areconnected to a manifold 69, which, in turn, may be connected to anysuitable source of steam.

Where the working is continued during the drying, the time of working inthe presence of the moist heat can be reduced and the return of thefibres to normalcy quickened.

Any apparatus which would simulate the massage-like working of thefabric, or which would work the fabric in an equivalent manner tointermittently compress the fibres lengthwise thereof, could be used toput the invention into commercial use without departing from the spiritof the invention.

Fig. 8 illustrates one modified form of apparatus for practicing theinvention. In this instance the fabric is fed to a stationary work tablela in the same general manner as described with respect to the worktable I. Operating over the work table I2 is a series of longitudinalbunchers alternating with transverse bunchers in the same general manneras heretofore described, except that in this instance the bunchers arein the form of rollers, preferably of the soft face type, which bearagainst the cloth and push it along the work table Is. For example, theone longitudinal buncher I06 pushes the full-width cloth into bunchesand passes it inthis form along the work table to a pair of divergentlyarranged transverse rollers I01, I01, which, due to the angles of theirrespective axes with respect to the longitudinal center line of the worktable, work the fabric into rearranged bunches and pass these along tothe next right angle transverse buncher roller Iflfia. This roller worksand passes the fabric to another pair of divergent buncher rolls Ifl'la,Ili'la. By and from the rolls Ill'la, I0'Ia, the fabric is pushed to aright angle buncher roll I061), thence to divergent rolls I072), I012),etc.

The right angle bunchers ms, Iota. etc., alterhating with the divergentbunchers I01, I'Ia, etc., work the fabric continuously in a longitudinaldirection and in a transverse direction.

There may be a number ofseries of the above noted rollers, arranged intandem, with spreader rolls between the successive series, the same aspreviously noted with regard to the preferred form of apparatuspreviously described.

It will be understood that steam is applied to the cloth in this casealso as the fabric is 'advanced along the work table Iz by the rollersI06, I01, and that a drying unit may be used behind and/or in front ofthis shrinking unit, the same as previously noted.

Any suitable means may be employed to drive the variou rollers I06,etc., I01, etc., without departing from the spirit of the invention.

From the foregoing descriptions, it will be clear that the presentinvention has provided an apparatus which will rumple the fabricrepeatedly over its length and breadth, to cover substantially theentire area of the fabric, without placing an portion of the fabricunder tension, and which applies heat to initially wet fabrics or heatand moisture to substantially dry fabrics. Thus, the present inventionwill effect either a complete return of the set irregularities to thefibres, or partial return, depending upon the length of time over whichthe treatment is continued, and will consequently reduce shrinkage ofthe fabric to zero or to any percentage it may be desired to leave inthe fabric.

No claim is made to the process of shrinking fabric as such matter isclaimed in my copending application, Serial No. 408,676 filed August 28,1941, of which this application is a. division.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:

1. In an apparatus for shrinking textile fabrics, the combination of, afabric-supporting surface, means for advancing longitudinally andrepeatedly rumpling a fabric lengthwise and transversely in difierentareas while it i supported on said surface, and means for applyingmoisture and heat to the fabric on said surface.

2. In an apparatus for shrinking textile fab-- rics, the combination ofa fabric-supporting surface, means for advancing longitudinally andworking a fabric together lengthwise and widthwise repeatedly indifferent areas while it is supported on said surface; and means forapplying moisture and heat to the. fabric on said surface.

3. In an apparatus for shrinking textile fabrics, the combination of, afabric-supporting surface, means for advancing longitudinally andpushing a fabric in one direction along-said surface and for compressingit repeatedly in different areas, means for pushing said fabric in atransverse direction on said surface and for compressing it repeatedlyin different areas, and

means for applying moisture and heat to the fabric on said surface.

4. In an apparatus for shrinking textile fabrics, the combination of, afabric-supporting said surface, and mean positioned between said pointsfor periodically spreading the fabric crosswise as it is pushedlengthwise along said surface. I

6. In an apparatus for shrinking textile fabrics, the combination of, afabric-supporting surface, rotary means at spaced intervals along saidsurface for pushing'the fabric into folds on and advancing the fabricalong said surface lengthwise, and transversely extending barriersintermediate said rotary means for working the fabric inwardly crosswiseas it is pushed along said surface by said rotary means.

'7. In an apparatus for shrinking textile fabrics, the combination of, afabric-supporting surface, means for pushing a fabric lengthwise alongsaid surface at spaced points, means for pushing the fabric widthwise atintermediate points on said surface, and means for applying heat to thefabric on said surface.

8. In an apparatus for shrinking textile fabrics, the combination of, afabric-supporting surface, means for pushing a fabric lengthwise alongsaid surface at spaced points, means for pushing the fabric widthwise atintermediate points on said surface, and means for applying moisture andheat to the fabric on said surface.

9. In an apparatus for shrinking textile fabrics, the combination of, afabric-supporting urface, means for pushing a fabric lengthwise alongsaid surface at spaced points, means for pushing the fabric widthwise atintermediate points on said surface, a conveyor belt receiving thefabric from said pushing means at a linear speed greater than the speedof the belt, and means for applying heat to the fabric in transit.

10. In an apparatus for shrinking textile fabrics, the combination of,means for pushing a fabric lengthwise comprising a sectional conveyorbelt including a plurality of parallel sections, means for driving thebelt as a whole at a predetermined general average linear speed, meansfor feeding fabric onto said belt at a linear speed in excess of saidaverage speed of the belt, and means for alternately accelerating thespeed of adjacent sections relative to each other.

FRANK ROBERT REDMAN.

